SUBMARINE LOSSES

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1932, Page 6

SUBMARINE LOSSES

TRACING OF WITNESSES

BROADCASTING MESSAGES.

LONDON, July 15

The Admiralty are taking steps- to ensure that no time shall in future be lost in getting in, touch with any eye-witnesses of a submarine disaster. The General. Post Office and the British Broadcasting Corporation are cooperating with the Admiralty in the arrangements which are being made. This development, announced by the Admiralty, will be regarded as the sequel to .thj|tlo?s of Submarine M.2. .. Tire Secretary of . the Admiralty said ii an interview: “Under existing instructions the senior officer on the spot reports to 'the Admiralty, and to certain other authorities by the quickest possible route'when a submarine, .air-' craft, or surface vessel is overdue. .In future the senior officer, present .will in addition to this action, inform the Admiralty by signal whether in the circumstances he considers that endeavours should be made to reach possible chance observers of the, supposed disaster. On receipt of this Report a decision as to further action will be. taken at the Admiralty. In the eyent of one of H.M. ships being reported overdue, the' Admiralty may., request certain apropriate G.P.O. coast, stations and...the 8.8. p. to .make.'.broadcasts ,uiith a view to reaching possible chance, observers, of an, incident , who may-'have unknowingly witnessed ; a disaster. • No broadcast .which might involve anxiety to relatives will ; however, be made until there, is. reasonable evidence that an accident has ocouired.” ...

1 M. 2 sank off Portland on January 26th. Her last" dive was seen by Captain Howard of the steamer Tynesider, but it was not until February -/T6th that Captain Howard was interviewed by an officer of the Navy. He had travelled, to Antwerp, and . thence to Bridlington before he learned that the submarine .was no wireless anouneementr. having reached ' his I ship. s . ... 7V;